Iran announced on Saturday, December 14 that it was able to return back a monkey that they launched into space the same day.

"By the grace of God and through the efforts of Iranian space scientists, the Pajohesh (research) rocket containing the second live space monkey, named Fargam (Auspicious), was sent into space and brought back to Earth safely," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in his message.

"In total, this is the 2nd monkey sent into space & returned in perfect health to #Iran. I congratulate the Leader, scientists & the nation," Rouhani stated.

He said the monkey was returned to Earth “safe and sound”.


A picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency allegedly shows the live space monkey named Fargam (Auspicious) after it was sent into space and brought back to Earth at an undisclosed location in Iran on December 14, 2013 (ISNA News Agency/AFP)

The little monkey, named Fargam, a combination of two words “auspicious” and “luck”, was launched in and returned from space in a 15-minute mission.

The country’s first attempt to send a monkey strapped snugly to the rocket was made in September 2011 where they also announced the exact same thing but the endeavor was contested because the monkey, named Pishgam which means “Pioneer”, that was presented after the landing was a different one.

According to Iranian state news IRNA, the launch was part of the nation's National Research Week. It was done in relation to Iran’s desire to send humans into space. The country’s aim is to have manned launch by 2020. So far, this is the latest step the country has taken.

However, some still have uncertainties as regards to the news.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters that although she saw pictures of "the poor little monkey," the United States doesn't "have any way to confirm this (happened), one way or another."

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